Extra Story Part 1
Mia, Anne, and the Bath Part 1
The winter in the Tearmoon Empire is always cold. At its peak, when it is coldest, even the puddles are covered with ice and snow.
The dungeon where Mia was imprisoned was no exception to the cold weather. In fact, one could freeze to death if one stays still. In such a cold dungeon, Mia was almost barenaked. Her delicate body was exposed to the cold freezing air.
“Uh… it’s getting cold… Well, it is already winter.”
Once a week, she gets to clean her body, and today is that day.
“Honestly, I don’t want to do it…”
She enjoys it during the summer months. However, in the cold winter months, wiping her body becomes a tedious chore. The water she is given to wash her body is cold, sometimes to the point that ice floats at the top. Nevertheless, she gets on with it because if she doesn’t, then the next time she gets water to wash would be next week. And that would mean that she will remain dirty for another week. Being dirty is something she can hardly tolerate.
Reluctantly, Mia took off her clothes and immediately goosebumps appeared on her skin. Anne looked at Mia’s pale, fragile, white back as she put her hand into the tub of water. There was ice floating on the water, and it was cold enough that she can feel the freezing pain in her hand. Anne was silently raging. She once tried to protest, but she was just ignored, and the situation did not really improve.
To alleviate the cold water, Anne immediately wipes her after with a damp cloth. The cloth wasn’t exactly perfectly clean nor was it warm, but this was the best Anne could do so Mia won’t suffer from the cold water. Mia does not offer any resistance… by now, she was well aware of the situation she was in.
Anne decided to start a conversation with Mia to ease the awkward silence. The topic of the conversation is…
“A big bath…?”
“That’s right. There is a public bath in the town, and everyone can use it freely. You haven’t heard of it?”
“You’re right, I have never heard of it before.”
Anne continues talking while drying Mia’s back with the warm damp cloth.
“I usually go with my sisters. When I go there after a day’s work, it blows the tiredness of my body away.”
While talking about her sister in a gentle voice, Anne talks to Mia as if she was also her sister.
In Mia’s eye, Anne looked dazzling.
I also want to go with her.
Mia swallowed that small wish of hers without even voicing it. She knew it was a wish that could never be fulfilled…
She knew she would trouble Anne is she said it. And she doesn’t want to be annoying to Anne, the only person she knows that cares for her.
Instead, Mia said with a smile…
“I don’t really know how you can enjoy that when there’s a lot of people with you. But it might be something that the common people enjoy.”
Anne did not get angry with what she said. Rather, she found the smile on Mia’s face to be lonely. It was painful for her to see the former proud Princess dropping her shoulders. However, if she comforts her here, then it will just hurt Mia’s pride.
After thinking for a while, Anne decided to do a little mischief. She soaked her fingertips into the cold water and then stroked Mia’s nape.
“Oh… Oooohhhh. Hinnnn!!!!”
Mia’s delicate body jerked up. The surprised Mia turned around to face Anne who was smiling.
“How is it? Isn’t it fun? I thought you wouldn’t get it just by talking, so I gave you a little demonstration.”
“Huh? Oh, stop it Anne. Here!”
Mia tickled Anne’s sides while pouting.
“I will remember this Anne. Next time I go to the bath with you, I will definitely take my revenge… After all, I’m quite a vindictive person.”
“I’m sorry but that would probably not happen. You see, it is impossible for the Princess and the commoners to take the same bath.”
Anne replied with a grin.
“Oh? I don’t know about that. If the day comes when I can leave this place, perhaps I won’t be a princess anymore, will I? If my status is revoked, I will be a commoner just like you. Then of course, I can go to the bath with you. Will you then go to the bath with me?”
Anne smiled at Mia who was smiling as well.
“Well, that’s true. Well then, let’s go together and then I’ll return your revenge.”
She knew well as so does Mia… that that day will never come.
The only time that she will leave the dungeon would mean that it was the time of her execution. Their wishes can never be fulfilled…
Mia then thanked Anne from the bottom of her heart. She thanked her for always showing her a cheerful smile, for always trying her best not to feel the cold and washing her up so she won’t be dirty.
Anne staying by her side until her final moments was a debt she will carry to her next timeline.
